Type of Diabetes and Things you should know

Diabetes mellitus, which is more commonly referred to as ‘Diabetes’ is a chronic disease that occurs when our blood glucose is too high.  

As we know that our body is comprises of millions of cells. The energy is given to the cells through the food we eat and it breaks down into microscopic particles as glucose. Glucose is a form of source to give energy to the daily activities you do. 

The blood transport sugar through blood vessels from the stomach or liver up to the cells. The cells store the sugar or glucose in other terms. The sugar cannot travel through the blood on its own. Body’s pancreas releases a hormone called insulin to the blood to help sugar reach cells. 

When sugar is sent from blood to cells, the sugar level of blood gets lower. If the insulin is not  produced, the sugar cannot be carried into cells and use its energy. Without insulin, there is no control over the sugar level, so the sugar level rises. 

Diabetes is a disease that most of the people go through today. Instead, it is considered a common disease now a day. Today in this article we will discuss the type of diabetes with their symptoms, causes and treatment.

More about diabetes mellitus

It occurs when there is a change in the level of blood sugar in your body. Blood sugar is taken into the body with the food we eat, and it is a source of energy to the body.

The pancreas produces the hormone ‘insulin’ to send out glucose from food to your cells. However, there are chances to make less insulin or even if the insulin is produced, sometimes the body does not utilize insulin well, and sometimes the pancreas fails to produce insulin.

The two situations in which someone can go through diabetes are given clearly below.

• If the pancreas does not produce insulin or if it produces less.
• When the insulin produced by the pancreas dies not to do its job properly

 As a result, glucose will remain in the blood and will not reach up to the cells. This would cause many health problems.

Different type of Diabetes

Now, we are going to discuss the type of Diabetes. There are several different types of diabetes. Some are: – Type 1, Type 2, Gestational diabetes (occurs during pregnancy), Juvenile diabetes, Diabetes Insipidus, etc.

Type 1 diabetes

• Type 1 diabetes is caused by the destruction of the production of insulin in the pancreas. It prevents the body from the creation of enough insulin to control blood glucose level adequately. Some use the term ‘insulin-dependent diabetes’ to type 1 diabetes. 

Type 2 diabetes

• Type 2 diabetes  is caused when the body is not able to metabolize glucose. Due to this problem, there is a high probability for the body organs to be damaged.

Gestational diabetes

• Type of glucose occurs during pregnancy. This is due to High blood glucose levels. Generally, this type of diabetes develops between 24- 28 weeks of pregnancy. A woman who develops gestational diabetes during their pregnancy has a high exposure to  type 2 diabetes in the future. Gestational diabetes typically disappears after giving birth to the baby.

Diabetes LADA

• This is a short form of Latent Autoimmune Diabetes of Adulthood. LADA appears more likely type 2 diabetes. It develops slower than type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes MODY

• This Type of diabetes is caused mostly through genetic factors. The symptom of this type is familiar with some symptoms of type 2 diabetes.

Double diabetes

• occurs to a person who is already having type 1diabetes. 

Steroid-induced diabetes, 

• when using corticosteroids it may lead to diabetes. This is often referred to as steroid diabetes.

Brittle diabetes

• This is also known as labile diabetes. People who have this type of diabetes experience a profound change in their blood glucose levels frequently.

Diabetes insipidus

• This is a rare type of diabetes. Excessive urination is a cause of this type.

Juvenile diabetes

• The young type is known as juvenile diabetes. It is a metabolic disease commonly in young people.

Learn additional information about type 1 and type 2 diabetes

 

Type 1 diabetes– Type 1 can develop to anyone at any age but mostly appears before 40.

This is the most common type in childhood diabetes. So it is also known as juvenile diabetes. If you consider this, the pancreas does not produce insulin due to this reason, and it’s sometimes known as insulin-dependent diabetes. Organs in the body get damaged over time with the rise of glucose level in the blood.

Causes of type 1 diabetes– There are many reasons for a person to get diabetes. The purpose of this type of diabetes is when the body is not able to make the insulin that helps in moving glucose from the blood to cells. The glucose in the body is used for energy. When there is no production of insulin, the body breaks down the fat and muscles on its own. This leads to weight loss. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a short term serious condition led by type 1 diabetes. 

Diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes:

Medical experts and doctors check your blood sugar levels and urine to test the type 1 diabetes in a person. If the results of the test says you do not have enough insulin in your body it means this disease has attacked you.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes– Glucose remains in the blood and will not be used for energy due to lack of insulin. So the body tries to send the excess glucose level out of the body. Due to this, many symptoms start appearing, including the symptoms in the following.

• Often being thirsty 
• Frequently getting the need for urinating, usually more at night
• Loss of weight
• Blurred vision
• Feeling tired
• Itchiness around the genital area
• The slow healing process of grazes and cuts

Massive, deep breathing and vomiting can also occur at a severe stage. When this stage is reached, immediate medical attention should be taken.

Treatment for type 1 diabetes– As type 1 diabetes develops, many types of treatment can be undergone. Some ways are,

• Taking insulin
• frequent checking of blood sugar
• counting fat, carbohydrate, and protein
• maintaining a healthy weight through exercising
• eating healthy food

These treatments are used to keep the blood sugar level close to the average level.

There are some other symptoms shown in a severe stage for a person who is already having diabetes. You must take immediate medical treatment if you are having the following symptoms

• Loss of appetite
• High temperature
• Pain in stomach
• Nausea

Type 2 diabetes– In the case of type 2 diabetes, the body slowly decreases the capacity in producing sufficient amount of insulin in the pancreas, and it is a progressive condition that the effect of insulation does not work correctly in the body. Around 85%- 90% of cases of diabetes are type 2.

Causes of type 2 diabetes– There are several causes for this to occur. The main reasons are lifestyle and genetics. It can be hereditary.

There is no rule that Type 2 diabetes travel from parents to children but there is a higher chance to inherit from them to their children.

Diagnosis of Type 2:

Blood and urine tests are done for examining the insulin resistance. As high levels of sugar builds up in the blood, this can affect other parts of the body severely.

Blood sugar test, Oral Glucose tolerance test.  Are the key tests done to identify the type 2 diabetes. There is a random blood sugar test. We would discuss these tests in detail in our future articles.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes– Many with this type of diabetes do not display any symptoms. The symptoms that can be mostly seen in the early stage are,

• Lack of energy
• Frequently being hungry
• Lethargy and fatigue
• Putting on weight
• Excessive thirst
• Skin infection and itchiness
• Frequent need to urinate
• Blurred vision
• Dry mouth

With time and no proper diagnosis, the symptoms may become severe. If the blood glucose level rises and does not lower for a long time, symptoms will be shown such as,

• Slow heal of cuts and bruises
• Yeast infection
• Leg cramps 
• Numbness

Having two or more of these symptoms shows that you are in a severe condition and must consult the doctor

Treatment for type 2 diabetes– Even if there is no perfect cure found for type 2 diabetes, it can be treated and maintained with the change of lifestyle and medications.

 Few treatment methods can be used to manage type 2 diabetes. They are,

• eating food at regular intervals
• Add meals rich in fiber and food with healthy carbohydrates. Eating fruits, grains and vegetables will play a role in keeping the sugar level stable
• avoid eating even after you feel full
• control weight
• You can engage in aerobic activities in order to keep your heart healthy.

In addition to this, you can take treatment through medication such as metformin, meglitinides, sulfonylureas, glucagon, dipeptidyl peptidase, and sodium-glucose cotransporter.

Sometimes taking medications might cause side effects, and it might take a little time to choose the best medicine to treat your diabetes.

The Differences Between Diabetes 1 And Diabetes 2

Though type 1 and type 2 diabetes looks familiar, there are some differences between them. Some common differences between them are,

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